Editorials
- By Pastor Mike Geiger, Crosspoint Church (WELS) Georgetown, TXSeptember 20, 2023“Can you believe it?” We often say this when we see or witness something that seems beyond the normal. We might believe it because we witness it, but the person we tell about it is a bit skeptical. We may even qualify these events with the phrase, “I wouldn’t have believed it unless I saw it!” Stories like this might be an account of the fish that “got away” or perhaps a sports team’s come-from…
- By Mark Jacobson, Peer Support Specialist, WinonaSeptember 20, 2023We have come a long way in understanding the importance of taking care of mental health. Although there have been many improvements in how mental health is addressed, there still is a stigma involved, especially when it comes to suicide. One common misconception that leads to the further stigma around mental health is that “suicide is a selfish choice.” Is suicide selfish? No, suicide is not a…
- By U.S. Senator Amy KlobucharSeptember 13, 2023The cost of prescription drugs has been too high for too long, and it’s hurt Americans’ health and bank accounts. Medicines don’t work if people can’t afford them. For far too many people, high drug prices can force difficult choices like whether to ration meds or food or not pay the electric bill during a hot summer. This is true even for seniors covered by Medicare. But after years of…
- September 06, 2023Calling for help is an important skill for children to develop, but dialing 911 can be challenging or confusing for them. In a recent study, none of the kindergarten and first-grade students tested could dial 911 and report an emergency, and only 16 percent of second- and third-grade students were successful with the same task. Children need these skills because sometimes they might be the…
- September 01, 2023As students head back to school, we urge motorists to slow down and stay alert, and we urge families with children to talk about safety. This time of year is particularly dangerous with young inexperienced drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who will all share the road in the early morning and afternoon hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these tips to help keep…
- August 22, 2023To stop impaired driving from endangering lives as people enjoy the end of summer, troopers, deputies and officers will team up for a DWI enforcement campaign Aug. 18-Sept. 4. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) coordinates the campaign with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Impaired is impaired, regardless of the…
- August 15, 2023As we linger in the Dog Days of Summer, the Star Herald applauds the Luverne Area Chamber and its volunteers and community partners for organizing a full summer of entertainment and activities. Rock County already enjoys a full slate of community entertainment with Buffalo Days, Hills Friendship Days, Hardwick Jubilee Days and the new Beaver Days in Beaver Creek. In between, there’s the Fourth of…
- August 08, 2023A bipartisan bill, the Community News and Small Business Support Act, has been introduced in Congress to help both newspapers and local businesses that have faced economic challenges in recent years. Local newspapers make a difference in their communities, and that’s why Claudia Tenney, a New York Republican, and Suzan DelBene, a Washington Democrat, introduced the bill. According to the bill…
- August 01, 2023On Friday local first responders will meet with Angela Nolz, a licensed clinical counselor and integrated health therapist at Sanford Luverne, and we’re happy to hear our caregivers will get some care for themselves. When a tragedy happens in a community, public safety professionals absorb that pain. They experience significantly more traumatic events than the average person, resulting in higher…
- By Angela Nolz, licensed professional clinical counselor and Sanford Integrated Health therapistJuly 25, 2023Brain health is health. This concept lives in my mind, daily. I have worked as a mental health therapist for the past 15 years. The more research emerges, the better we understand the inner workings of the brain, and yet, we have so very far to go to best understand illness and best recovery treatments. Some things have changed in the 15 years that I've been involved in this field, but the…
- By American Farm BureauJuly 18, 2023A summer cookout costs significantly more than two years ago but slightly less than record highs in 2022. Families now pay $67.73 to host a cookout for 10, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey. The $67.73 grocery bill is down 3 percent from 2022, but still approximately 14 percent higher than prices were just two years ago. The cookout favorites include…
- July 11, 2023To remind motorists to drive safely, law enforcement partners are participating in a statewide extra speed enforcement and awareness campaign through the end of July. Officers, deputies and troopers will be looking for speeders endangering their own lives and the lives of others. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety coordinates the campaign with funding provided by…
- July 04, 2023We often don’t know what we need until we need it, and that’s likely the case for most people finding themselves in need of emergency assistance. Until we need help, we don’t know what kind of help is available, and many who have needed help for fires, crashes or medical emergencies will attest to the quality firefighters and first responders we have in Rock County. On Wednesday, June 28, Luverne…
- By U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. MinnesotaJune 27, 2023The U.S. Surgeon General recently released a warning about the negative impacts of social media on children’s mental health, saying that it presents a profound risk of harm. The advisory also urged social media companies to help parents with the burden of managing the effects of social media on kids. Big tech companies have shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted to protect kids’…
- By Linda Wenzel, A.C.E. of SW Minnesota Rock County program coordinatorJune 20, 2023Quality of life is important for the health and well-being of our seniors. It’s not enough to just be alive. Good quality of life is especially important for older adults who are dealing with chronic health conditions and major life changes. Feeling satisfied and fulfilled is just as important for overall well-being as getting regular doctor visits. In fact, having a positive view of life can…
- June 13, 2023Dispatch centers across the state and across the country are experiencing a significant uptick in pocket dials and hang-ups — with some 911 call centers seeing these calls go up 300 percent. These misdials often require dispatchers and law enforcement officers to follow up with the caller to see if there is an emergency, which prevents them from answering other legitimate calls for emergency help…
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